Yuletide Treasure (Thornton 1.50)

With a slow, shaky breath, Brigitte offered her husband the gift she’d been savoring. “Would you mind dreadfully if the new gowns and the entertaining were to wait a bit longer?”

He blinked. “Why? Don’t you like the dresses? I can have others made.”

“I think that would be wise.” Brigitte’s eyes glowed through her mist of tears. “Much larger ones, I should think. Large and loose-fitting, to accommodate my Christmas present to you.” Capturing Eric’s hand, she placed it against her abdomen.

She watched his expression change from puzzlement to speculation to comprehension.

And then to joy.

“Brigitte.” His throat worked convulsively. “Are you saying … ?”

“Merry Christmas, my love.” She reached up to kiss him. “It seems our first joining yielded even more than our hearts. Our child will arrive this summer.”

Wordlessly, he enfolded her against him, his awed fulfillment a tangible entity that spoke for itself.

“Uncle? Why is Brigitte crying?” Noelle asked.

“Because I’m happy,” Brigitte answered, disengaging herself from Eric’s embrace and kneeling down to face Noelle. “Noelle, how would you feel about having a brother or sister?”

Noelle inclined her head. “How could I have a brother or sister? I’d need parents for that.”

“You have parents.” Brigitte cupped her chin. “Us.”

Realization struck. “You mean you and Uncle are getting a baby?”

“Is that all right?”

Worry furrowed Noelle’s delicate brow as she considered the possibility.

“Noelle, I’ve never had a baby before, nor have I been one for many years,” Brigitte confided. “You, on the other hand, were one yourself just a few years ago. You’ll remember a lot more than I. I’m counting on you to help me, and the babe.”

“Will it be a boy or a girl?”

“I honestly don’t know.”

“When will it arrive?”

“Sometime at the beginning of August. I’m not exactly sure.”

“You really don’t know much about babies, do you?” Noelle determined, frowning.

“I’m afraid not.”

“Will I truly be the baby’s sister?”

“Indeed you will.”

“Can I call you ‘Mama’?”

A lump formed in Brigitte’s throat. “Nothing would make me happier.”

“And Uncle ‘Papa’?” She looked at Eric.

“I’d be honored,” he responded.

Noelle grinned. “Then it’s okay.” Abruptly, she glanced down at Fuzzy, a pensive look on her face. “Brigitte—I mean, Mama—” she said at last, “we’re a real family now. And families share, ’specially stuff that’s special. So I think I’ll share Fuzzy with my new sister or brother. After all, Fuzzy knows how hard it is being new to a family. He helped me get used to it. I’ll bet he could help the new baby get used to it, too. Would that be all right?”

Brigitte thought her heart would burst. “I love you, Noelle,” she said, hugging her new daughter tightly. “And, yes, it’s more than all right. It’s wonderful.”